Key landmarks across the capital were bathed in purple on 1st October as City Hospice’s annual Light up a Life appeal returned. The charity’s Light up a Life appeal runs from the beginning of October until 31 December, providing the community with opportunities to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones in the lead up to and during the festive season.
Mermaid Quay and Roath Lake were illuminated purple in support of the appeal. Over the next three months, supporters will be able to remember loved ones with a virtual star in the sky and a remembrance service at Llandaff Cathedral, and join in with a number of activities and events such as a festive concert, the Big Christmas Wrap, Jolly Jumpers and Rudolph Runs.
Jennifer Phillips and Alison Boxhall will be remembering their dad Alan, and other family members cared for by City Hospice, as they support the charity’s Light up a Life appeal this year.
City Hospice provided Alan with specialist palliative care following his mesothelioma and dementia diagnoses, as well as opportunities to enjoy day hospice activities like the Sports Bar, before he passed away aged 91 and three quarters in late 2025.
Alison said: “City Hospice supported us really quickly following Dad’s diagnosis. He loved the nurses – Faye, Sarah and Jenna – who provided great care at home and at the hospice. They were a brilliant support and always responsive to his needs and our queries.
Jennifer said: “We felt that City Hospice truly looked after the whole family, not just Dad. We really like how the hospice supports and focuses on quality of life. With their support we could still go on holidays and little trips away. They allowed us all to embrace and live life with no regrets.”
Light up a Life supports the work of City Hospice, the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in Cardiff. The charity provides care and services including welfare advice and complementary therapies to patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses, as well as bereavement support and counselling for the families of its patients.
Dr Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “To see major landmarks and locations in our city illuminated in memory of and in celebration of the lives of loved ones is a special start to our appeal. We hope that Light up a Life brings comfort and light to our community during the festive season.”
Each donation made during the appeal period will shine twice as bright thanks to generous match funding from The Hodge Foundation.
Karen Hodge, a trustee of the Hodge Foundation, said: “It is our utmost pleasure to support City Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal again this year. Through our match funding, donations will be doubled to help City Hospice continue to deliver their vital care and services to patients and their families across Cardiff.”
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Jennifer and Alison’s story
A sociable and friendly dad, brother and uncle, Alan Phillips was both proud of his Whitchurch roots and curious about the world. City Hospice provided Alan with specialist palliative care, as well as opportunities to enjoy day hospice activities like the Sports Bar, before he passed away aged 91 (and three quarters) in October 2025.
A former naval officer in the Merchant Navy before embarking on careers in the building trade and steelworks in Cardiff, Alan had a love of travel, both in the UK and around the world, and enjoyed exchanging stories of different experiences, countries and cultures with people he met.
His daughter Alison said: “Dad was interested in talking to people. Within five minutes of being in a room, he’d be talking and laughing. Whether the topic was his home city of Cardiff or somewhere from his travels, he would strike up a conversation and enjoy sharing his interests with others.”
His daughter Jennifer added: “His naval career before he met our mum inspired his love of travel, but he also found joy in adventures closer to home. When we were younger, he would take us camping twice a year and he loved west Wales. Even later in life, when he was 89, we did a caravan holiday in the Isle of Wight because he wanted to visit a new place to him.”
After becoming ill with a gallbladder infection at the end of 2023, Alan was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, and dementia within the space of eight weeks in early 2024.
Alison said: “We were upset about the news of Dad’s diagnosis but he was very matter of fact about it, although he did scale back his goal of reaching 100 and receiving a card off the king! He was referred to City Hospice straight away and they supported us really quickly, from sorting a ramp to help with medications and liaising with the GP.
“He loved the nurses – Faye, Sarah and Jenna – who provided great care at home and at the hospice. They were a brilliant support and always responsive to his needs and our queries.”
Jennifer said: “We felt that City Hospice truly looked after the whole family, not just Dad. They are always there if needed, even for our sister Gill who lives in west Wales.
“We really like how the hospice supports and focuses on quality of life. With their support we could still go on holidays and little trips away. They allowed us all to embrace and live life with no regrets.”
The family are regular supporters of the charity which has cared for Alan and other family members, volunteering to help at events and attending day hospice activities like carers’ mornings.
Alison said: “We have always been involved with City Hospice as they have helped our family so much so sharing our story in support of Light up a Life was something we wanted to do. Our mum Barbara 30 years ago, our mum’s sister and more recently my husband Tony have all benefitted from the care and compassion of the charity.”
Jennifer added: “We already knew of the hospice’s empathy and understanding, and were familiar with the wonderful care they provide at home plus the day hospice activities before Dad became a patient of theirs. Although these have been difficult periods in our lives, we have formed nice memories of the hospice thanks to their care and the time we were able to spend with our loved ones because of it.”
A donation made during the Light up a Life appeal will make a world of difference to a family facing terminal illness in the community. To donate, visit https://www.cityhospice.org.uk/get-involved/light-up-a-life/ or call 02920 524 150.
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Light up a Life
- A donation made during the Light up a Life appeal help brighten the lives of those who need City Hospice this Christmas. To donate, visit cityhospice.org.uk or call 02920 524150.
- To purchase a ‘Virtual Star in the Sky’ and leave a message of remembrance, visit https://www.cityhospice.org.uk/star-in-the-sky/
- To learn more about events being held during the Light up a Life appeal, visit the City Hospice events page: https://www.cityhospice.org.uk/get-involved/upcoming-events/
About City Hospice
- Established in 1984, City Hospice celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024.
- City Hospice is the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in Cardiff.
- The charity provides care for patients with life-limiting or terminal illnesses such as cancer, dementia, motor neurone disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- City Hospice also provides bereavement counselling and other services for the families of its patients.
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